Sunday, August 11, 2013

In my book "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), I write about the brutal killing of my best friend San Jose Police Officer Richard Eugene Huerta, on August 6, 1970 and how it affected my personal and professional life., I previously posted these photos on the Vintage San Jose Police Facebook page; now I publish them on the LNostra-Costa Blog in Remembrance of Richard

This is a photo of Richard's Academy Class, c.1963. He stands second from the left in the back row.

This photo was taken in my backyard in San Jose in July 1969. One year later in August of 1970, Richard (pictured in the center) was shot and killed in the line of duty. On Richard's left is SJPD Sergeant Ray Obierne

Officer Richard Eugene Huerta on Patrol c. 1970

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Flag flying at half staff in remembrance of Fallen Officer Richard Huerta. The photo was taken in front of the Police Administration Building in August 1970. I believe that the SJPD Officer standing at attention is Robert Gummow.

US Marine and SJPD Honor Guard for Fallen Officer Richard Huerta, August 1970.

Pallbearers attending to Richard Huerta's casket, Aug. 1970. On the left side (front to rear): Officers Richard Yuhas, Jim Emmons and Tom Perez. Right side (front to rear): Sgt. Ivan Comelli, Officers Fred Esparza and Jim Larsen. Lt. Bill Bown stands at the extreme right corner of the photo.

San Jose Police Identification Officers Christine Mendoza (on the left) and Janie Jensen placing flowers on Richard's casket, Oakhill Memorial Cemetery, San Jose, Aug. 1970. Long time San Jose Police Records Person, Margie Thompson can be seen in the background (middle) in the light color dress.

Remembrance of Fallen Officer Richard Huerta, written by Editor Richard Cadenasso and appearing in the Aug. 14, 1970, publication of the Vanguard, a San Jose Peace Officers Association newsletter.

Dedication of Richard Huerta Park at Hillsdale Ave. west of Ross Street, in San Jose, Oct. 10, 1974. Richard's Mother (center) receives plague from San Jose Police Chief Robert Murphy (left). San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta stands at the right.

Richard's Mother in tearful remembrance of her fallen son. Photo taken at Richard Huerta Park dedication Oct. 10,1974. Officer Joe Hasselman (in uniform) is seated in front row, second from right. Deputy Chief Robert Allen (in uniform) is seated in second row directly behind Richard's mother. San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta is seated in the second row on the end at the left.

About Me

Born the youngest son of Immigrant parents from the Friuli Region in Northeastern Italy, I was raised on a "rancio" on the North Coast of Santa Cruz. In 1959 I graduated from San Jose State College and joined the City Police Force. I retired in 1989 with the rank of Captain. In 2001, my article, "Wrong Side of the Highway," was published in the book, "Una Storia Segreta: The Secret History of Italian American Evacuation and Internment during World War II" (Heyday Books). "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast),which covers my family's journey to and from the north coast, roughly covers the period between 1923 to 1983. It is my first book.
LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST)
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